UMC-1 or Onkyo TX-SR707

[mgvsev]

Need some expert advice. I have a 5.1 system which is run by an Onkyo TX-SR605. I want to buy an XPA-3 for the center and fronts but the 605 has not pre-outs. Should I purchase the SR707 for $500(new) or spring for the UMC-1 for an extra $200. All I really want is pre-outs so I can purchase the xpa-3. I was originally going to get the UMC-1 when it came out but there seems to be alot of uncertainty about it's proven ability. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. thanks

[kemac]

I'd go with the 707, I did last year rather than waiting on the UMC any longer. With the 707 you also have the option of adding of adding heights or wides.

[twilkins]

I'd also go with the Onk. I went with the Integra and couldn't be happier. Firmware's a snap and no bugs. I also use a USP-1 for 2 channel analog listening. If this is important then I'd either get a 2 channel analog preamp with the Onkyo or go with the UMC-1.

[mgvsev]

Thanks for the input. I mostly want the amp for music. Can I add a USP-1 and an XPA-2 to my 605 or would I still need pre-outs? Thanks again

[NorthStar]

Jul 29, 2010 20:26:54 GMT -5 mgvsev said:

Thanks for the input. I mostly want the amp for music. Can I add a USP-1 and an XPA-2 to my 605 or would I still need pre-outs? Thanks again

Does the 605 has preouts? ...Because you do need them indeed for adding external amp(s).

And if you use the USP-1 with the XPA-2, they will be separate from your 605, as your 605 cannot add those.

Best is to have two systems, one for Stereo (Music) and the other for Multichannel (Movies).

Or if you want to combine both together you need a new pre/pro like an Integra DHC-40.1 or Onkyo PR-SC886P or PR-SC5507P.
Or a receiver with preouts for all channels, like that Onkyo 707 I believe.
Or perhaps you could be satisfied with the UMC-1.

See, you'll have to do some investigation here, and read the threads about the UMC-1, to see if it will fit your criterias. ...And make a balanced assessment about money matters too, along with performance and features.

[mgvsev]

thanks for the post LOTR, the 605 does not have pre-outs hence my predicament. Are you saying that I would still need pre-outs to integrate a receiver with a USP-1 and an amp to satisfy both music and movies? The 605 can drive my Aperions plenty loud and they sound pretty darn good too, but my issue with it is that i have to turn the receiver volume up into the 70's to 80's to satisfy my taste for loudness. I think the 605 is under-qualified to effectively drive my quality speakers. I believe the xpa-3 would work wonders to drive my center and fronts and let the receiver handle the surrounds but again, the 605 has no pre-outs which is why I am considering the least expensive way to accommodate an amp which is investing in the 707. The last thing I want to do is waste money by investing in a receiver/pre-pro over and over again

[twilkins]

Jul 29, 2010 20:26:54 GMT -5 mgvsev said:

Thanks for the input. I mostly want the amp for music. Can I add a USP-1 and an XPA-2 to my 605 or would I still need pre-outs? Thanks again

I was in the same situation. I had the Onkyo 606. Eventually bought the 806 for the preouts so I could add the amp. The Onkyo has a phono stage so you don't have to have a preamp. Unfortuneately Onkyo's are not known for good 2 channel analog SQ. That's why I bought the USP-1 with the home theater bypass. My home theater is handled by the processor and my 2 channel music is handled by the preamp. As you can see in my signature I eventually sold the 806 and went with the Integra processor. The 707 will be just fine but again I would add the analog preamp with it. Otherwise the UMC-1 would be good if you didn't want to add the preamp. I just noticed that the UMC-1 does not have a phono so you would need a seperate phono stage for vinyl if that is an issue.

[mgvsev]

Thanks. I read several times that the usp-1 sounds much better for two channel music than the umc-1. I wonder if 2 channel listening is much better with the umc-1 than with a a/v receiver such as the 707?

[mgvsev]

Also, if I went with the umc-1 I'd have to fork out additional bucks for an xpa-5 since I wouldn't have a separate a/v amp to drive the surrounds

[regulator]

I would get the ONKYO over the UMC. I have the UMC and have had to return it once, and my second one still doesn't play well with the USP I have, and it also has many of the bugs that have been reported. I have not been completely happy with it, but I am waiting to see how Emotiva fixes this.
I would go with the 707 and use the money you save to get the USP if you want to have a nice 2 -channel system as well. The USP I can recommend. Their are too many issues with the UMC still and although a fix is coming, it does not integrate with the USP as far as remotes go. I do not recommend the UMC right now.
With the 707, you get a dependable reciever, and with the USP you will have a killer 2 channel set up with a real nice phono section if you ever decide to add a turntable.
Then you can still get your XPA-3 and use the 707 to power your surrounds. That should be a real nice system.
Good luck with whatever path you decide to take.

[tonymc]

I just picked up a HT-RC180 for $499 from onecall(new retail. Not refurb) and if you do your homework you can find the 807 for the same price.

[mgvsev]

Ok, should I get the sr-707 for $500 or the nr-708 for an additional $179? Please keep in mind the main reason I'm upgrading from the 605 is to have pre-outs to purchase a xpa-3. Extra features are hdmi 1.4 and better Internet streaming capabilities. I like listening to Pandora alot but I can really listen to it just fine through plugging my iPhone into auxiliary on the 605 I have now so I'm not sure of the extra benefits the 708 would have over the 707?

[tonymc]

Jul 30, 2010 14:24:43 GMT -5 mgvsev said:

Ok, should I get the sr-707 for $500 or the nr-708 for an additional $179? Please keep in mind the main reason I'm upgrading from the 605 is to have pre-outs to purchase a xpa-3. Extra features are hdmi 1.4 and better Internet streaming capabilities. I like listening to Pandora alot but I can really listen to it just fine through plugging my iPhone into auxiliary on the 605 I have now so I'm not sure of the extra benefits the 708 would have over the 707?

The only advantage would be if you're planning to go 3D anytime soon. Other than that... none.
For $500.00 though you should take a look at the HT-RC180...

[mgvsev]

Yeah, I was just looking at the rc-180. What are the major differences between that and the 707? I see that the 707 has a 3 stage inverted darlington circuitry. What does that mean exactly?

[tonymc]

Jul 30, 2010 15:20:32 GMT -5 mgvsev said:

Yeah, I was just looking at the rc-180. What are the major differences between that and the 707?

The HT-RC180 has 10 more watts per channel(which is negligible), but it does have network capabilities.
If you go to the Onkyo site you can do a side by side comparison of the two.

Jul 30, 2010 15:20:32 GMT -5 mgvsev said:

I see that the 707 has a 3 stage inverted darlington circuitry. What does that mean exactly?

I don't know what real world advantages it has, but here's the lowdown.
www.audiodesignguide.com/doc/onkyo_nonnfb.html

[tonymc]

Here's the comparison charts. Keep in mind that chart shows the HT-RC180 does not have Audyssey DSX, but it does. I don't why it is not listed on the Onkyo site.
www.us.onkyo.com/products_compare.cfm
Before I made my suggestion I should have asked if you need network capabilities? If not or you don't plan to in the future the 707 may be the best route for you as you cannot update the firmware of the 180 without it.

[NorthStar]

Mgvsev, be smart and get the Onkyo TX-NR807 for less than $499. It is the model higher up after the 707. If you can get the 807 for less money than the 707, it's a NO-BRAINER!

* Check at shoponkyo.com, the 807 was on sale not long ago for less than $499 ($465 for some people depending of the state's taxes). Also accessories4less does carry it, for roughly the same price. In both cases they are reconditioned models, but they are in perfect order if not brand new, plus with a full year warranty. And both places are very reputable audio shopping stores.
- Just Google "Onkyo TX-NR807 best deal".

And check Onkyo's own Website for the full features and specs about this excellent receiver.
And for the money, that makes it an even better deal, a tremendous value actually.
It would be perfect for your situation.

Cheers,
Bob

Edit: Seems the sale's over at shoponkyo.com
- But accessories4less has that Onkyo TX-NR807 for $529.99 right now, which is better than some other places at $649.99
Another great place to check is newegg.com on Saturdays, as it is the only day they have tremendous sales on all Onkyo receivers. Another one is Fry's, check it out, as the Onkyo TX-NR3007 was only $900! ...That is INCREDIBLE for such a receiver as loaded and heavy as the 3007; it's a 9.2-channel receiver with 9 internal power amps, and very potent too.
It has WAYYYY too many high end features to enumerate here (it would take an entire book!), but to find out more about it, just check Onkyo's own Website again.
-> But that 807 for only $530 is the perfect solution for you.

[roadrunner]

mgvsev

Depending on what features you are wanting to have with your AVR with pre outs, you have a lot of choices to examine. For example, if you are just wanting similar features to your current Onkyo receiver, but have the ability to use an Emotiva power amp you could get a Marantz SR4002 for only $229 on Accessories4Less.com. There are other Marantz receivers with more power and more features moving up in price as you go. At the higher end of features the Marantz SR5003, 5004, and SR6003 all for less than $500. Any of these, when combined with an Emotiva amp, will provide you with a potent HT system.

Other possibilities include getting one of the previous generation Emotiva pre/pro units. Recently, I have seen the LMC-1 go for $250 and an MMC-1 for less than $400. If you own a BR Player with 7.1 channel analog outputs, these Emotiva units provide outstanding performance with the latest HD audio codec. If you don't want all the latest "bells and whistles" included with the current batch of A/V receivers, these Emotiva pre/pro provide higher quality sound and far better build quality.

Look in the Emotiva web site archives for the LMC or MMC to see what they have to offer; and then look at the reviews that the LMC and MMC have had written about them. Depending on the other source equipment you have, these may be your best solution. There is always more than one way to "skin a cat". Let us know what gear you have or intend to buy in the foreseeable future and we can fine tune our recommendations to better fit your particular situation. Don't forget the UMC-1 while you are at it. The next FW release, in a week or two, will fix the remaining issues that have been identified.

[sid]

have upgraded from onkyo 875 as pre to UMC-1, the difference is huge
IMO go for the UMC-1
Decoding capabilities of UMC-1 is superior to the pre of AVR

but i guess u need may need a seperate PRE for music

[mgvsev]

Thanks for the advice. I really appreciate eveyones input. Although I am asking for advice on non-emotiva related products,the whole reason for this thread is so I can invest in an Emotiva amp which I am unable to do with my current receiver. That being said, I need some help fast. I actually decided on the Onk tx-nr708 for $679 and it's actually about to be shipped. But the more I research, the more options there are, the more I'm not completed sure. The reason that I made such a quick decision that I was unable to unload the 605 already so I'm out a receiver until I can get a new one delivered. The main thing the 708 has that the 707 & rc180 do not is hdmi 1.4a. I still do not know if I ever intend on going 3D but it's nice to have the option. Is there any other sound benefits of 1.4 over 1.3? Will 1.3 ever become obsolete over the next 10 years? Now another receiver possibility has come into the mix but it's about to be too late. The Marantz sr-7002 for $750. I realiE that if you have Marantz you'll be biased toward M and if you have Onkyo you'll be biased toward O but I need an un-biased opinion here. If hdmi 1.4 wasn't a difference, what would be the better receiver? The
Onkyo